Photographic developing sink

ABSTRACT

A photographic developing sink comprising an integrally molded sink top having a recess formed therein for holding a quantity of liquid and tray support means formed in the recess for holding at least one film developing tray in contact with the liquid contained therein. A drain and dump trough is formed in the sink adjacent one side of the recess for receiving any liquid dumped from the tray and from said recess. Dam and spillway means is provided between the recess and drain for regulating the upper level of liquid in the recess and liquid supply means is provided for introducing liquid into the recess to flow into contact with the tray and over the spillway into the trough.

Elite States Patent 1 Leonhart et al.

[ 1 May 15, 1973 [54] PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING SINK [73] Assignee: The Nuarc Company, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Apr. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 242,661

Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney- Richard D. Mason ABSTRACT A photographic developing sink comprising an integrally molded sink top having a recess formed therein for holding a quantity of liquid and tray support means formed in the recess for holding at least one film developing tray in contact with the liquid contained therein. A drain and dump trough is formed in the sink adjacent one side of the recess for receiving any liquid dumped from the tray and from said recess. Dam and spillway means is provided between the recess and drain for regulating the upper level of liquid in the recess and liquid supply means is provided for introducing liquid into the recess to flow into contact with the tray and over the spillway into the trough. 1

i 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED Ml 51975 sum 2 OF 2 FIG3 PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING SINK The present invention relates to a new and improved photographic developing sink and more particularly to a photographic developing sink used for supporting one or more film trays used in developing film.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink of the character described.

Another object is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink having a one piece, integrally molded sink top having a durable and smooth surface which is impervious to most photographic chemicals, easy to clean and which requires little if any maintenance after usage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink having a sink top with a relatively high splash wall for confining liquid therein and which includes means for maintaining a continuous upper liquid level.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink of the character described which is compact in size, rugged in structure, efficient in operation and neat in appearance, and which provides excellent means for liquid circulation used in maintaining the temperature of developing chemicals in film trays supported in the sink top.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink top having a novel dump trough for receiving liquids and chemicals from film developing trays and including means for facilitating the dumping of said film trays.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink of the character described employing novel support means for holding an additional film tray in an elevated position'and including a novel system for circulating liquid from the elevated tray into the recess of the sinktop on which other film trays are carried.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photographic developing sink of the character described which provides means for insuring uniform liquid circulation to maintain an exact and steady temperature control for developing liquid in film trays mounted on the sink.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished in an illustrated embodiment comprising a new and improved photographic developing sink having an integral, one piece sink top defining a recess for containing a bath ofliquid with tray support means formed in the recess for supporting at least one film developing tray in contact with the liquid contained in the bath. A drain and dump trough is formed in the sink top adjacent one side ofthe recess for receiving liquid dumped from the trays or spilling over from an integrally formed dam and spillway system between the recess and the dump trough. Means is provided for supplying liquid to the bath for circulation and flow around the film trays and eventuallyinto the trough for drainage.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a new and improved photographic developing sink in accordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view looking downwardly on the new and improved, one piece sink top of the sink;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view of the sink taken substantially along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, transverse cross sectional view taken substantially along lines 44 of FIG. 1 illustrating a tray support for an additional elevated tray and a liquid circulation system therefor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating in phantom a developer tray as it is being dumped.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,

therein is illustrated a new and improved photographic developing sink constructed in accordance with the features and referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. The sink 10 includes a horizontal sink top 12 of novel construction, formed in one piece of integrally molded plastic material, which material is highly resistant to the normally used chemicals involved in the development of photographic film. The sink top 12 is supported from the floor or other surface by means of a base structure 14 having a pair of leg structures 16 at opposite ends with leveling screws 18 at the bottom. The sink top 12 is adapted to hold one or more film developing trays 20 and additionally is provided with an elevated support structure generally referred to by the numeral 22 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5), for holding an additional film tray 24 in an elevated horizontal position above the level of the trays 20 supported directly on the sink top 12. The tray 20 and the tray 24 may be identical in construction and are normally interchangeable. Preferably the trays are constructed of integrally molded resinous plastic material, which material is light in weight, strong and is impervious to commonly used photographic chemicals. The trays and the sink top may be fabricated ofthe same material, which material in addition to the foregoing characteristics is easy to clean and requires relatively little scrubbing or cleansing action to maintain in good condition for repeated usage.

In accordance with the present invention, the molded, one-piece sink top 12 is formed With a relatively large in area, tray receiving recess indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 and of a generally rectangular shape in plan view as best shown in FIG. 2. The recess is designed to provide a shallow liquid bath large enough to hold one or more of the trays 20, 24 and preferably at least a pair of trays as shown in FIG. 1. The sink top is also formed with an elongated, dumping and drain trough 28 which extends parallel of and is adjacent the rearward side edge of the main recess. The tray receiving recess 26 and the dumping and drain trough 28 are separated from one another by an integrally formed dam or wall structure 30 having a spill way portion 32 adjacent one end of the dumping trough. Drain openings 34 and 36 are provided in bottom walls 38 and 40 of the recess 26 and dump trough 28 respectively for draining liquid from the sink top. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5,.the main tray recess 26 is formed with a peripheral, substantially vertical side wall 42 integrally joined with the recess bottom wall 38 around the peripheral edges thereof and a portion of which forms one side of the dam structure 30. Similarly the dump and drain trough 28 is provided with an integrally formed wall 44 around the periphery of the trough bottom wall 40. The leveling screws are adjusted so that the water or other liquid in the sink top will drain freely when the rubber stoppers or plugs are not inserted or are removed from the drain openings 34 and 36.

In order to support the film developing trays 20 in the liquid bath of the recess 26 in a manner whereby the bottom wall of the trays is spaced above the bottom wall 38 of the recess thereby to permit circulation of liquid therebeneath, the sink top is formed with a plurality of integrally formed longitudinally extending support ribs 46 best shown in plan view in FIG. 2 and in cross sectional elevation in FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated in FIG. 4 the integral ribs 46 engage and support the bottom of the trays 20 and permit liquid to flow underneath the trays to maintain an even temperature for the liquid and film in the developing trays. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the ribs 46 extend parallel of the drain trough but are formed in several spaced apart longitudinal segments to permit cross flow of liquid and thus provide for a good circulation pattern beneath the bottom walls of the film trays on the sink top.

The spaces between rib segments on the bottom wall 38 of the recess accommodate a pair of transverse base members or legs 48 (dotted lines in FIG. 2) of a U- shaped base 50 of the removable upper tray support 22 which carries the upper film tray 24. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray support 22 is formed of elongated rod like material and is seated in the recess 26 and supported by the bottom wall 38. The upper tray 24 is thus supported generally above the middle of the sink top 12 as best shown in FIG. 1. The tray support 22 includes a trio of upstanding legs 52 and 54 joined to the members 48 and a bight portion of the base 50 as illustrated best in FIG. 2 and an upper, U-shaped tray support 56 (dotted lines in FIG. 1) is attached to the upper ends of the legs 52 and 54 for supporting the tray 24 along the forward and side edges thereof only while leaving the back edge of the tray free for ready access. The free, unsupported back wall of the upper tray 24 accommodates a water siphon assembly 58 which is adapted to receive water from a suitable source through a supply hose 60. The water is dispensed into the upper tray 24 through an opening in the front of the siphon body 62 and flows out into the tray in the direction of the arrow A" in FIGS. 1 and 4. The action of the fresh water flowing through the siphon 58 provides venturi action suction for pumping out water from the upper tray 24 for discharge through a back leg 66 of the siphon body via a hose 68 into the main sink recess 38. Water pumped out of the tray 24 enters the siphon assembly 58 through side openings 64 in the body 62 and the amount or flow rate of water supplied through the inlet hose 60 to the siphon regulates the level of liquid in the upper tray 24 as the venturi siphoning action is roughly proportional to the water flow rate. One suitable siphon assembly is sold by the Eastman Kodak Co. of Rochester, NY. and this unit is detachably mounted on the back wall of the tray 24 as shown in FIG. 4. During operation, water is siphoned from the upper tray 24 and discharged into the main sink top recess 26 for circulating around the side walls and bottom of the film developing trays 20 which are supported on the ribs 46. When the water level builds up to a height level with the top of the spillway 32 as indicated best in FIGS. 3 and 4 it flows into the drain and dump trough 28. Additional water input to the liquid bath results in water flow continuously over the spillway=32 into the drain trough 28 and this water is discharged to a drain line via the bottom opening 36 and a drain fitting 70. Normally the drain opening 34 for the main liquid bath 26 is kept plugged with a rubber stopper or the like and the water level is thus maintained at the upper level of the spillway 32..When the drain 34 is unstopped after use the water drains through an outlet fitting 72 normally connected by a hose to a drain or sewer.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the new and improved photographic developer sink constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention provides a system for washing photographic negatives and the like which are placed in the upper tray 24 and then passing the wash water via the siphoning system into the main sink top recess 26 for maintaining the chemicals in the developer trays 20 at a constant temperature. The water level in the recess 26 is maintained constant by means of the dam 30 and spillway 32 when a stopper or plug is inserted in the drain opening 34. Eventually the water enters the dump trough 28 via the spillway 32 and is passed to the sewer or other drain out the opening 36. After use, the water to the siphon unit 58 is turned off and the siphon is dismounted from the upper tray 24 which is then rearwardly removed or withdrawn from the tray support 22. The contents of the tray 24 is then dumped into the drain trough 28 in the manner shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5 with one edge of the pan supported on the darn structure 30. The lower film developing trays 20 can be dumped in a similar manner or as shown in FIG. 5 may be dumped in the large recess 26 with the dam 30 as a stop. Little if any spillage occurs because of the walls 42 and 44 of the recess 26 and dump trough 28 respectively and. after dumping water remaining in the sink top recess 26 is then drained off by removing the stopper or cork from the drain opening 34.

The novel support structure 22 provides means for supporting the upper tray 24 in an elevated position without interference with access to the lower, film developing trays 20. As shown in FIG. 5, all trays can be dumped or emptied by placing an edge against the walls of the dam structure 30 with little chance of spillage. The sink 10 is very handy and easy to use, neat in appearance and readily maintained. The integrally molded one piece sink top 12 provides unique features as described and is a great aid to the photographic developer.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a single illustrative embodiment thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A photographic developing sink comprising a horizontal sink top having a recess for holding a quantity of liquid, tray support-means in said recess for holding at least one developing tray in contact with said liquid contained therein; a drain trough formed in said sink top adjacent an edge of said recess for receiving liquid dumped from said trays and from said recess; dam and spillway means between said recess and said drain trough for regulating the upper level of liquid in said recess, liquid supply means for introducing liquid into said recess to flow in contact with said tray therein and over said spillway into said trough, and removable support means mountable on said sink top for supporting an additional developer tray at a level above said sink top, said liquid supply means including means receiving liquid from said additional tray and discharging the liquid into said recess of said sink top.

2. The developing sink of claim 1 wherein said recess includes an integrally formed bottom wall and peripheral side wall, a portion of said side wall forming one side of said dam and spillway means; said trough being integrally formed in said sink top including a side wall forming an opposite side of said dam and spillway means.

3. The developing sink of claim 2 wherein said tray support means comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs for engaging the bottom of a try and integrally formed in the bottom wall of said recess.

4. The developing sink of claim 1 wherein said removable support means comprises a U-shaped upper support member engaging said additional tray along a portion of its peripheral and legs for supporting said U- shaped member above the level of said recess bottom wall.

5. The developing sink of claim 4 wherein said removable support means includes a U-shaped base resting on the bottom wall of said recess and joined with the lower end of said legs.

6. The developing sink of claim 3 wherein said sink top comprises a single sheet of plastic material molded to shape forming said recess, said ribs, said trough and said dam and spillway means.

7. The developing sink of claim 6 including drain openings formed in the bottom wall of said recess and in said trough and removable plugs for said drain openings. 

1. A photographic developing sink comprising a horizontal sink top having a recess for holding a quantity of liquid, tray support means in said recess for holding at least one developing tray in contact with said liquid contained therein; a drain trough formed in said sink top adjacent an edge of said recess for receiving liquid dumped from said trays and from said recess; dam and spillway means between said recess and said drain trough for regulating the upper level of liquid in said recess, liquid supply means for introducing liquid into said recess to flow in contact with said tray therein and over said spillway into said trough, and removable support means mountable on said sink top for supporting an additional developer tray at a level above said sink top, said liquid supply means including means receiving liquid from said additional tray and discharging the liquid into said recess of said sink top.
 2. The developing sink of claim 1 wherein said recess includes an integrally formed bottom wall and peripheral side wall, a portion of said side wall forming one side of said dam and spillway means; said trough being integrally formed in said sink top including a side wall forming an opposite side of said dam and spillway means.
 3. The developing sink of claim 2 wherein said tray support means comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs for engaging the bottom of a try and integrally formed in the bottom wall of said recess.
 4. The developing sink of claim 1 wherein said removable support Means comprises a U-shaped upper support member engaging said additional tray along a portion of its peripheral and legs for supporting said U-shaped member above the level of said recess bottom wall.
 5. The developing sink of claim 4 wherein said removable support means includes a U-shaped base resting on the bottom wall of said recess and joined with the lower end of said legs.
 6. The developing sink of claim 3 wherein said sink top comprises a single sheet of plastic material molded to shape forming said recess, said ribs, said trough and said dam and spillway means.
 7. The developing sink of claim 6 including drain openings formed in the bottom wall of said recess and in said trough and removable plugs for said drain openings. 